Castle Hotel & Spa

Tarrytown (Westchester County)

By John Bruno Turiano

Nothing says “grandeur” quite like a castle, and at Castle Hotel & Spa, built in 1910 based on medieval European Norman architecture, grandeur is what you’ll get — in droves. There’s opulence at every turn, starting as you enter the lobby and proceed up a carved staircase, past crystal chandeliers and ornate stained glass, to the seven Tower Luxury Suites (there are 24 other rooms in the Carrollcliffe addition).

The Luxury Suites feature four-poster beds, down bedspreads, wood-burning fireplaces (most), and serene views of the Palisades, the Hudson, and, on a clear day, the New York City skyline.

Shower in the marble bathroom, slip on your plush robes, and munch on chocolate-covered strawberries, then opt for a 90-minute Thai massage ($210) at the THANN Sanctuary Spa. Or take a dip in the heated pool/whirlpool (seasonal) before sharing a bottle of Sparkling Tattinger Cuvée ($90) at the adjacent Grotto Bar.

After all that pampering, you’ll want to eat, so head to the on-site restaurant, Equus, where Chef de Cuisine Sean McAllister sources local ingredients for his seasonally changing menu.

A romantic turndown ($30) is an excellent way to wind down your first night as newlyweds, with silk rose petals, candles, and bath salts. You might drag your feet checking out the next morning, but there’s always your one-year anniversary for a return visit.

What’s to Love

Explore the property hand in hand like a lord and lady, or traverse the stately Great Hall, with its 40-foot vaulted ceilings and original Gothic windows. Hidden away off the rear garden terrace, not far beyond the life-size chess set, is a one-mile walking trail set on 11 acres of manicured grounds. Set off from the main trail are a few semi-private sitting areas for impromptu kisses.